Here's the quick 'n' dirty bio, and if someone can let me know if I fit the profile for this board?

White male, married, 35, 5' 9" 200+ pounds. No children, part time graduate student, full time staff accountant at small CPA firm.

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One of my "life goals" had always been to run a marathon. This I did in October 1998, putting in a decent time of 3:48, or at least it was a decent time for me. I weighed about 170 at the time I ran it.

I mention this for two reasons:

(1) It was the beginning of my downward spiral in terms of my health and weight.

(2) I think I did something bad to my knees and ankles.

Not sure exactly how closely related the two items are, but I have put on 30 plus pounds in just over a year, I no longer fit into any of my suits for work, and, well, you get the drill.

I guess I am looking to this board for some feedback on my progress (or lack thereof).

I seem to have one advantage over the other posters here, in that I don't really have much of a life & I can dedicate the time and effort to losing weight.

:)

Okay for me to hop on board?

Jim

(P.S.: Not that I am a much of a fan of Rush Limbaugh, but has anyone seen him lately? Sheesh. Any idea how he lost all the weight? Probably the typical celebrity drill of personal chefs, personal trainers, etc. It will be interesting to see if he can keep it off, where Oprah really couldn't.)

I think I did something bad to my knees and ankles.=================================

Sure Jim,C'mon in. Strange as it may seem the Nordic Trak actually HELPS my arthritic knee condition and makes life quite a bit better for me. Have a sister who plays tennis vigorously 3 times a week and her knees are really hurtin' now where mine are quite tolerable.

Full Disclosure: I bought the unit and used it for a couple of days and then it turned into an hanger for ironing for the next year and a half. Now it's all that saves me from being really almost incapacitated.

Everybody's profile fits this board. Like Norm said earlier 1/4 pound to 200 pounds over, you are welcome to come and play :)

I seem to have one advantage over the other posters here, in that I don't really have much of a life & I can dedicate the time and effort to losing weight

I would say if you have the time and money, a gym might be the ticket for you. If you have more than one in your area, make appointments to check them out and find out what they have to offer. When you find the one that is right for you, then you can get started on getting back into shape and feeling good about your body again.

DeanndaImpressed that you ran a marathon, I get winded just watching them!